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“It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to 

  • Paul Rand, "It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to , 1950, gelatin silver print and gouache on paper and gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.241

Title
“It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to make choice of the best: a man is forced then to follow whatever advice may have been given him; but if opposite speeches are delivered, then choice can be exercised. In like manner pure gold is not recognized by itself; but when we test it along with baser ore, we perceive which is the better.”–Herodotus on freedom of discussion. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Paul Rand
Date
1950
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 18 5⁄8 x 14 in. (47.2 x 35.6 cm)
Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gift of Container Corporation of America

Mediums
gouache
Mediums Description
gelatin silver print and gouache on paper and gouache on paperboard
Keywords
  • Portrait male – Herodotus
  • Figure male – fragment – face
  • Occupation – education – historian
  • Literature – Herodotus
Object Number
1984.124.241
Palette
Linked Open Data URI

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